GAPS Diet/Gut health

One of the topics I touch on here in the blog now and then is the issue of “gut health” and a strong immune system, but I don’t know if I’ve ever explained the very basics.  While I may know a little bit about a lot of topics, I have to admit that my brain cells don’t retain the really deep knowledge on very many issues, and there’s just a lot that I simply don’t know (obviously).  But I hope to always at least get the basics out to you, and motivate you to then go and research more on your own.  So think of this post as a starting point.

(Here’s the link if you’d like to skip to my resources page where you can buy the fermented cod liver oil, probiotics, the Gut and Psychology Syndrome/GAPS book, and more resources on the GAPS method of digestive health.)

1.  What is the “gut” anyway?

The gut is the intestinal tract.

2.  Why is gut health so important?

(Quotes below are from the Weston A. Price review of the book, GAPS/Gut and Psychology Syndrome)

“Poor bacterial flora and digestion are at the heart of serious health problems. When children are born with intestinal bacterial imbalances or gut dysbiosis, they tend to have a compromised immune system and are prone to illness. Campbell- McBride brings to light the profound statements of Hippocrates that “All diseases begin in the gut.”

“Although genetics is often provided as an explanation for brain disorders like autism and ADD/ADHD, as well as for psychiatric illnesses such as depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, genetics cannot explain the exponential increase in these health and developmental problems, says Dr. Campbell-McBride, because genetic changes work much more slowly.
Through studying the health of hundreds of patients with autism, learning disabilities, psychiatric illness and other problems, Campbell- McBride discovered that in virtually all cases these children and adults suffer from digestive problems, often of a severe nature. Through her research, she has determined a distinct correlation between unhealthy intestinal flora, poor digestion and toxicity from chemicals created by undigested foods, which can severely affect brain chemistry. She coins this relationship the Gut and Psychology Syndrome, or GAPS.”

3.  What wreaks havoc on gut health?

• Sugar, grains – especially empty carbs (white grains/pasta/rice, sugar – even the more natural sugars)   “A child or adult who eats a diet high in difficult-to-digest carbohydrates such as grains and processed foods will continue to encourage the underlying condition of gut dysbiosis. Dr. Campbell-McBride states that people with damaged flora will crave the very foods that support the survival of the unhealthy bacteria, often to the exclusion and refusal of others.”  (Have you seen the post about the proper preparation of grains for optimal nutrition?)
• Antibiotics: “anti” = against; “biotics” = bacteria – yes they clear out the bad bacteria causing an infection, which is sometimes needed, but they also take the good bacteria with it – only take if absolutely necessary.
• A diet that is off balance between omega 6’s and omega 3’s. Most of us are too high in the omega 6’s, which are found in unhealthy vegetable oils and processed foods.  Some omega 6’s are needed, but they should be balanced with omega 3’s.  “Recent research has revealed that too much omega-6 in the diet creates an imbalance that can interfere with production of important prostaglandins. This disruption can result in increased tendency to form blood clots, inflammation, high blood pressure, irritation of the digestive tract, depressed immune function, sterility, cell proliferation, cancer and weight gain.” From The Skinny on Fats.
• Trans fats:  “Altered partially hydrogenated fats made from vegetable oils actually block utilization of essential fatty acids, causing many deleterious effects including sexual dysfunction, increased blood cholesterol and paralysis of the immune system.”  From The Skinny on Fats.
• Stress. If you feel like you can’t eliminate it, then change how you react to it.
• Toxins all around us, including those in our food, such as pesticides, preservatives, hormones, fake colorings, etc.  (Read your food labels!  Even better, eat food without labels!)
• What else did I forget?

4.  What supports gut health?

• “What, then, are the solutions to turn poor digestion into one that helps the patient thrive? Dr. Campbell-McBride outlines a nutrient-dense dietary plan that is totally void of grains and even dairy foods at first, and which provides high quality, organically grown meats, poultry, fish, nuts, eggs—especially raw egg yolks—cooked non-starchy vegetables, fresh fruit, bone-broth soups, traditionally fermented foods, and ample traditional fats. She suggests supplements of cod liver oil, fish oil, digestive enzymes, a stomach acid supplement and probiotics to rid the stomach of bacterial growth and help develop healthy intestinal flora.”  (More from the Weston A. Price review of the book, GAPS/Gut and Psychology Syndrome.)
• Fermented foods like kefir, yogurt, fermented vegetables, fermented drinks like kombucha, fermented lemonade, etc. – full of the “good guys”: healthy bacteria.  (Keep in mind that while these are good for your gut, they may not be part of the GAPS Diet in the beginning.) (VISIT THIS POST FOR A CULTURES FOR HEALTH GIVEAWAY - FREE FERMENTED FOOD STARTERS!)
• “Raw milk contains beneficial bacteria that protect against pathogens and contribute to a healthy flora in the intestines. Culturing milk greatly enhances its probiotic and enzyme content, making it a therapeutic food for our digestive system and overall health.”  (From Milk, It Does a Body Good?)
• A probiotic supplement to repopulate your gut with the healthy bacteria. (Visit my resources page for GAPS Diet recommended probiotics.)
• Cod liver oil for omega 3’s, vitamin A & D (and many other benefits)  (Visit my resources page for GAPS Diet recommended cod liver oil.)
• Grass-fed meats & pastured eggs for omega 3’s, CLA (and other benefits) (Broken record here – visit my resources page for where to find grass-fed meats.)
• “Grass-fed, organic butter also contains anti-microbial fatty acids including butyric acid, which has strong anti-fungal effects. Coconut oil and butter are not only anti-microbial, but they also help heal the lining of the gut; therefore, they are preferred for cooking, baking or eating right off the spoon.” (From How to Restore Digestive Health by Jordan Rubin.)
• What else did I forget?

5.  How does the GAPS diet come into this?

The above list only has bits and pieces and parts of the GAPS diet, and while they are all ways you can rebuild your immune system, the GAPS Diet book can explain more detailed information and give you the big picture.

6.  How can I learn more?

• Buy the GAPS book (“Gut & Psychology Syndrome”), at my resources page.  Also available there:  the fermented cod liver oil, probiotics, enzymes, and more GAPS resources.
• More GAPS posts (You’ll have to scroll down past this one first.)
• The GAPS Diet Yahoo group – I would imagine that the support from this group would be invaluable!
• More stories of HOPE and recovery (including one from Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride about her son.)
• More GAPS Diet Testimonials
• YouTube videos on the Body Ecology Diet and GAPS diet – there are a total of 6 videos
• Podcast with Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride
• Why is the fermented cod liver oil superior to other types of CLO?
• See my other post about a healthy immune system

NOTE: Please see my Frequently Asked Questions page about this blog, which includes the answer to this popular question, “Do you make money from this blog?  If so, how?”

***Check out FIGHT BACK FRIDAYS for more Real Food tips!  Also part of Works for Me Wednesday!

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